Sockeye fishing expands on much of the Columbia River as returns exceed expectations

Additional summer Chinook opportunity also scheduled

OLYMPIA – With sockeye salmon returning to the Columbia River in numbers well above the preseason forecast, fishery managers announced Thursday, June 30 that sockeye fishing will open from the Astoria-Megler Bridge on the lower river to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco, and daily limits increase from there to Chief Joseph Dam near Bridgeport on the upper river.
The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee, which forecasts and monitors salmon and steelhead returns to the Columbia River, earlier this week upgraded the 2022 forecast for sockeye returning to the river to 426,000, more than double the preseason forecast of 198,000 fish. Through June 29, the preliminary total sockeye count at Bonneville Dam is 343,953 fish, the highest count to date in the last 10 years.
As a result, fishery managers determined that sockeye retention could open starting July 1 on many portions of the lower river, and limits could increase in other sections previously scheduled for sockeye retention. Sockeye fishing is also scheduled to open July 1 on the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers in Okanogan County.
Sockeye fishing on the Columbia River was updated for the following areas and dates; for more information on the rules for the specific section of river where you plan to fish visit WDFW’s emergency rules page. See the 2022-23 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for permanent regulations for each section of river.
Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam: July 1 through Oct. 15. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
From Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster: July 16 through Sept. 30; Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
From Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek (Douglas County side): July 1 through Oct. 15; Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
In addition to the Columbia River, sockeye retention is also scheduled to open on sections of two Eastern Washington rivers beginning July 1, with night closures and anti-snagging rules in effect:
Similkameen River, from the mouth to the Hwy. 97 bridge immediately upstream of the mouth: July 1 through Sept. 15; Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
Okanogan River, from the mouth to the Hwy. 97 bridge immediately upstream of the mouth: July 1 through Oct. 15; Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
Okanogan River, from the Hwy. 97 bridge immediately upstream of the mouth to the Hwy. 97 bridge at Oroville: July 1 through Sept. 15; Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
In all areas listed above, the salmon minimum size is 12 inches.